Plumbing Pipe Insulation Specification
Submitted by: Armacell LLC
Plumbing Pipe
Insulation Specification
© 2005 Armacell LLC
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Plumbing Pipe Insulation Specification
Submitted by: Armacell LLC
Part 1 – General
1.01 Scope of Work:
A. Provide piping insulation as specified below. The purpose of the thermal pipe
insulation is for condensation control, energy and water savings, noise reduction
and freeze protection.
1.02 Definitions:
A. Domestic Piping: Pipes where the normal operating temperature is between 40 °F
and 180 °F.
B. Thermal Conductivity: The amount of heat in BTUs transferred in one hour
through one square foot of homogeneous material one-inch in thickness when
there is a temperature difference of 1°F.
C. Compression Fit Method: To allow for expansion and contraction of the
insulation, the insulation must be installed in compression of at least 2 percent of
overall length.
1.03 Quality Assurance:
A. Material shall be delivered in nonbroken, factory furnished packaging and stored
in a clean, dry indoor space that provides protection against the weather.
B. Insulation shall be applied by qualified personnel skilled in this trade.
C. Progressive testing of the systems to be insulated shall have been completed,
inspected and approved by the owners' representative before the insulation is
applied.
D. Insulation shall not be applied until all surfaces are clean, dry, and free of dirt,
dust, grease, frost, moisture and other extraneous elements.
E. Work shall be performed at the temperatures recommended by the product
manufacturer.
© 2005 Armacell LLC
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Plumbing Pipe Insulation Specification
Submitted by: Armacell LLC
Part 2 – Products
2.01 Polyolefin/Polyethylene -- Elastomeric Insulation:
2.01.1 Acceptable Manufacturers – These specifications are based on products
and data of Armacell and designate the type and quality of work intended under this
section. Products of other manufacturers proposed as equivalent must be submitted for
written approval by the specifying engineer ten days prior to the bid date. Supporting
technical data, samples, published specifications and the like must be submitted for
comparison. The contractor should warrant that proposed substitutions, if accepted, will
provide performance equal to the materials specified herein.
A. Insulation material shall be a flexible, closed-cell
1.
Polyolefin/polyethylene insulation in tubular form: TUBOLIT,
TUBOLIT SS, TUBOLIT W, SSA 2000. This product meets the
requirements as defined in ASTM C 1427, “Specification for
Preformed Flexible Cellular Polyolefin Thermal Insulation in Sheet and
Tubular Form”.
2.
Flexible elastomeric in tubular foam. AC/Accoflex, AP/Armaflex,
AP/Armaflex SS. This product meets the requirements as defined in
ASTM C 534, Grade 1, Type I, “Specification for Preformed Flexible
Elastomeric Cellular Thermal Insulation in Sheet and Tubular Form”
B. Materials shall have a flame spread index of less than 25 and a smokedeveloped index of less than 50 when tested in accordance with ASTM E
84, latest revision.
C. Materials shall have a maximum thermal conductivity of 0.27 Btu-in./h-ft2°F at a 75°F mean temperature when tested in accordance with ASTM C
177 or ASTM C 518, latest revisions.
D. Materials shall have a maximum water vapor transmission of 0.08 perminches when tested in accordance with ASTM E 96, Procedure A, latest
revision.
2.02 Adhesives and Finishes
A. Adhesive shall be the insulation manufacturer's recommended contact
adhesive: Armaflex 520, Armaflex 520 BLV.
B. Insulation finish shall be the insulation manufacturer's recommended finish:
WB Armaflex Finish.
C. Accessories such as adhesives, mastics and cements shall have the same
properties as listed above and shall not detract from any of the system ratings
as specified above.
© 2005 Armacell LLC
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Plumbing Pipe Insulation Specification
Submitted by: Armacell LLC
Part 3 – Installation
3.01 Piping:
A. Install pipe insulation by slitting tubular sections and applying onto piping or
tubing. Alternately, whenever possible, slide unslit sections over the open
ends of piping or tubing. All seams and butt joints shall be adhered and sealed
using Armaflex 520 or 520 BLV Adhesive. A thin coat of adhesive must be
applied to both surfaces, allowed to tack and join both surfaces with firm
pressure. When using AP/Armaflex SS, TUBOLIT SS, SSA 2000 only the
butt joints shall be adhered using Armaflex 520 or 520 BLV Adhesive.
B. The insulation must be installed in compression to allow for expansion and
contraction. Install an additional 1.5 inches of insulation for every six feet of
installed pipe or an additional 2 percent of measured pipe length.
C. Insulation shall be pushed onto the pipe, never pulled. Stretching of insulation
may result in open seams and joints.
D. Tape the ends of the copper tubing before slipping the Armaflex or TUBOLIT
pipe insulation over the new pipes to prevent dust from entering the pipe.
E. All edges shall be clean cut. Rough or jagged edges of the insulation shall not
be permitted. Proper tools such as sharp knives must be used.
F. On heat traced systems, the tracer shall not exceed the allowable temperature
limit of the insulation material. Insulation ID may need to be oversized to
accommodate heat trace tape.
G. Seams shall be staggered when applying multiple layers of insulation.
3.02 Outdoors Exposed Piping:
A. All outdoor exposed piping shall be painted with two coats of WB Armaflex Finish.
Prior to applying the Finish, the insulation shall be wiped clean with denatured
alcohol. The Finish shall not be tinted. To insure good adhesion, the temperature
should be above 50 °F during application and drying.
B. All outdoor exposed piping shall have the seams located on the lower half of the pipe.
C. As an alternative to WB Armaflex Finish, metal or aluminum jacketing may be used
and should be applied according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
3.03 Insulation Thickness Recommendations
A. The insulation thickness recommendations are based on heat loss calculations,
consult local energy code requirements for minimum insulation thickness.
Piping System
Up to
2”
Over 2”
to 4”
Over 4”
to 6”
Over 6”
Plumbing:
Cold Water
1/2”
1/2”
1/2”
3/4”
Hot Water
1/2”
1/2”
3/4”
3/4”
1”
1”
Hydronic Systems (Use AP/Armaflex or AC/Accoflex only)
Heating Hot Water
© 2005 Armacell LLC
3/4”
3/4”
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Plumbing Pipe Insulation Specification
Submitted by: Armacell LLC
For More Information Contact Us Via:
Phone: (919) 304-3846
Fax:
(919) 304-3847
Email: info.us@armacell.com
Website: www.armacell.com
Armacell provides this information as a technical service. To the extent the information is derived from sources other than Armacell, Armacell is
substantially, if not wholly, relying upon the other source(s) to provide accurate information. Information provided as a result of Armacell's own
technical analysis and testing is accurate to the extent of our knowledge and ability, as of date of printing, using effective standardized methods and
procedures. Each user of these products, or information, should perform their own tests to determine the safety, fitness and suitability of the
products, or combination of products, for any foreseeable purposes, applications and uses by the user and by any third party to which the user may
convey the products. Since Armacell cannot control the end use of this product, Armacell does not guarantee that the user will obtain the same
results as published in this document. The data and information are provided as a technical service and are subject to change without notice.
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© 2005 Armacell LLC
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